Crew saved from sinking carrier

2009-07-23 19:38

Johannesburg - Twenty crew were saved from a sinking bulk carrier off the West Coast, the Maritime Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) said on Thursday.

Spokesperson Sarene Kloren said at 06:00 the captain of a bulk carrier, the Ioannis NK reported that his vessel was "taking on water and listing".

The vessel, carrying a cargo of 22 500 metric tons of sugar, was en-route from Brazil to India.

"Two Air Force helicopters were dispatched and all 20 crew were safely evacuated to Saldanha Bay."

"The vessel was drifting 98 nautical miles off Cape Columbine on the West Coast, near to Saldanha Bay and listing at a 45-degree angle before she sank."

The tugboat Smit Amandla, from Cape Town, had been at the scene since morning and would remain to assess the situation at first light on Friday.
 

- SAPA